W. F. Daniell, Esq., on the Natives of Old Callebar. 323 



with other Egbo symbols. This human memento is occa- 

 sionally to be found at the entrance of the interior cham- 

 bers of the court-yards. The most remarkable architectu- 

 ral structures, however, which attract the attention of the 

 stranger, are the massive wooden houses of the more power- 

 ful chiefs. Most of these mansions were constructed either 

 in Clarence Town, Fernando Po, or Liverpool, and tran- 

 shipped from thence in detached pieces, accompanied by Eu- 

 ropean carpenters, who generally paid the forfeit of their 

 lives in erecting them. They are built of planks overlaying 

 each other, which, from the obliquity of their position, afford 

 better facilities for the transit of the rain. As regards size, 

 they are of a happy medium, and are of a proportionate alti- 

 tude, most of them having a limited view of the circumjacent 

 objects. The rooms are, in many instances, elegantly fitted 

 up with all the gorgeous and luxurious furniture of European 

 habitations. 



In order to give a general idea of the mode of life of 

 the upper classes of the natives of this town, it will be as 

 well to transcribe from my journal, a few passages relating 

 to a visit which I paid in 1841, to Egbo Sack, one of the 

 principal chiefs of Old Callebar. " Upon my entrance into 

 the room set apart for my reception and that of ray party, 

 the first object that arrested attention, was a small chamber 

 or recess, within which were placed two or three sofas and 

 ottomans, each carefully covered with a fold of chintz, and 

 having the name of the owner emblazoned in gilt letters on 

 the backs ; a chest of drawers, a card-table, and two beautiful 

 and exquisitely finished time-pieces, which, with half-a-dozen 

 chairs, constituted the furniture of this little alcove. In the 

 centre of this apartment was situated a moderate-sized table, 

 covered with a white table-cloth, and garnished with its 

 usual accompaniment of knives, forks, plates, &c., a la Ang- 

 lais ; while on the side table were ostentatiously arrayed de- 

 canters of spirits, palm wine, and native bitters. The coun- 

 try wine, an exudation from the Saguerus vinifera^ or wine 

 palm, known in this place by the term of Minniefoot^ was 

 flanked by several bottles of champagne and other wines, 



